In the spring, the Studio was approached by the Pemberton family, who had recently moved into a two storey maisonette. They asked for a calm, practical, family friendly design. They received something else.
The brief
The clients’ cat, Duchess, had rejected every piece of furniture in the house. She had slept in a shoe, a laundry basket and the oven, though the last was cold. The family wanted her to be happy. The Studio wanted the same, and a fee.
Our approach
Principal Architect Loaf conducted an assessment. He spent two days in the living room, lying on the sofa, observing Duchess observing him. By the end of the second day, he had concluded that she did not need furniture. She needed boxes.
The solution
We installed seventeen boxes across the maisonette. Each was of a different size and shape, and each was positioned for a different mood.
- The Morning Box, by the east window
- The Afternoon Box, on the landing
- The Evening Box, near the radiator
- The Suspicious Box, in the corridor, placed to be noticed and ignored
- The Box Inside a Box, for contemplation
- Eleven others, the details of which are confidential
Client reaction
Mrs Pemberton described the result as “unexpected.” Mr Pemberton described it as “a lot of cardboard.” The children described it as “the best thing that has ever happened.” Duchess described it as nothing, since she was asleep.
“It is the first time I have seen her satisfied,” said Mrs Pemberton, “and also the first time I have not been able to find the sofa.”
Challenges
We encountered some difficulty with the Suspicious Box, which was repeatedly removed by the family and replaced by Duchess. A compromise was reached. The box now lives in the corridor, and the family walk around it with respect.
Outcome
The maisonette is now classed as a Level Three Rest Environment, one of the highest ratings in our system. A formal certificate has been issued, written on a napkin.
We remain proud of the project and eager to hear from other families with a cat and a pile of cardboard.
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